CRAB studio finalizes abedian school of architecture

located in queensland, australia, bond university’s ‘abedian school of architecture‘ has been completed by CRAB studio, a competition winning design by the renowned london-based practice. the environmentally sustainable scheme protects against the region’s hot climate, establishing a comfortable and ambient building which encourages its occupants to interact, debate and socialize.

the environmentally sustainable scheme protects against the region’s hot climatephoto by peter bennetts

set across three levels, a central avenue cuts through the plan, gently rising to subtly echo the topography of the site’s surroundings. from this street the faculty’s studios and communal zones spread out onto a terraced deck – which itself melts into a hillside garden. the broad internal path then dives beneath the quiet study strip and continues past a series of concrete ‘scoops’. these structure defining areas are used for casual meetings in addition to the university’s various crit sessions.

sun-shading across the northern façade avoids glare and over-heatingphoto by peter bennetts

again using their experience as teachers of architecture, sir peter cook and gavin robotham placed an emphasis on the non-curricula events that take place inside the building. a clear system and layout, interspersed with deliberate idiosyncrasies, such as the scoops, allows for a sense of theater and intrigue, while bright and colorful furniture add a sense of theater and vitality. the result is a dynamic and functional scheme, where the school’s occupants can readily identify with the nature of their activity, both individually and collectively.

vertical columns support an overhanging roof protecting the design from direct sunlightphoto by peter bennetts

the building’s orientation reduces the exposure of the north, east and west facing walls and windows, where each opening is sheltered and protected from the region’s strong and direct sunlight. the fan-like roofs take advantage of the scheme’s east-west axis, bringing natural light into the heart of the design, while the climate controlled envelope includes sun-shading across its northern façade in order to avoid glare and over-heating.

a central avenue cuts through the plan, gently rising to subtly echo the topography of the site’s surroundingsphotos by peter bennetts

main circulation areas act as thermal buffers, encouraging the natural movement of air along the length of the building, and simultaneously reducing the need for mechanical air conditioning. additionally, the concrete structure’s thermal mass absorbs heat during the day, returning the warmth to the school environment during the evening and at night when the surroundings are generally cooler.

structure defining concrete scoops are used for casual meetings in addition to the university’s various crit sessionsphotos by peter bennetts

the school’s occupants can readily identify with the nature of their activity, both individually and collectivelyphotos by peter bennetts

circulation areas act as thermal buffers, encouraging the natural movement of air photos by peter bennetts

Marvin here is completely correct, the building has massive echo problems, not to mention the students and teachers can see into each others’ workspaces with ease, thus preventing any privacy, with the exception of the few offices at the front. Furthermore, this building is NOT sustainable, as it was deemed ‘too expensive’ and impractical after the neighbouring building (the School of Sustainable Development) presented issues with cooling and heating offices and classrooms easily, so the most sustainable thing in the School of Architecture is the tap fittings and toilet facilities.

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